Hat forming and preserving device



Patented May 19, 1942 UNETED STATES FATENT QFFlCE HAT FORMING AND PRESERV'ING DEVICE David G. Widmann, New York, N. Y.

Application June 13, 1940, Serial No. 340,258 I 4 Claims.

This invention relates to devices adapted for reshaping distorted hats and preserving the same when stored away, and the invention has particular reference to felt hats of the type cornmonly used by men.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described having improved means for reshaping a distorted hat by clamping or otherwise securing the parts thereof in a required form.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a device having improved means for additionally completely encasing a hat to protect it from dust and weather when the hat is stored away.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a device of the nature set forth having improved means for adjustably securing the hat according to a desired shape.

Another object is'to construct a device of the class alluded to having few and simple parts, and which is neat, compact, durable, reliable and efficient in use, and adapted for inexpensive manufacture on a quantity production basis, and capable of convenient and rapid application to a hat.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in theannexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the sev eral views.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing a device embodying the invention, as applied to a hat.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view of a modification and showing in dotted lines a different position of the hat brim.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several diiferent constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, l denotes Formed at the base of the dome is an annular outwardly extending flange 14 adapted to completely overlie the brim I5 of the hat.

formity of the brim in this position has been restored, the brim is returned to its original desired shape, as by manipulation by hand. Without resorting to any special hat blocking operations, it has been found that good results can be obtained by holding the hat brim as in Fig. 2 for a suitable length of time, since the felt material 7 yields and gradually assumes the desired slope, and thus the distortions mentioned are in large part eliminated. Of course the angulari'ty of the brim, due to its downward shape herein shown, varies with different hats, and hence some adjustability is desirable.

Accordingly I provide a downward extending annular lip It at the outer edge of the flange l4, thislip being thus at an angle to the plane of this flange and projecting beyond the lower surface thereof. Desirably this lip may consist of a material which is adapted to be easily cut down to suit, so thatthe height of the lip I6 may be adjusted, for a reason that will be hereinafter apparent. I

The device l0 may also include a lower or second member I! which may include a tubular or collar portion l8 that may seat snugly within the sweatband [9 of the hat, and desirably terminates well below the top of the hat crown. Formed at thebase of the member I8 is an annular outwardly directed flange 20. At the inner edge of the latter or at its junction with the collar 18, the flange is formed with an annular upward projecting portion or step 2|, located above the top face of the flange 20.

If desired, the flange 26 may also have an annular upwardly extending lip 22 which is like that at IE, but is arranged in opposition thereto.

It will be noted that both members I! and I1, especially the portions l6, 2! and 22 consist of an, easily severable materialfand may consist of a cardboard or paper or other composition, or in fact, of any material which is suitable for the purpose. Preferably, the material should be such as to adapt these members to be easily molded as one piece structures.

The manner of using the device ID will now be described. The hat mayfirst be applied over the member ll, causing the collar portion to engage in the sweatband I9, with the inner region of the brim l5 seating on the step portion 21, and the outer edge of the brim resting on the outer edge portion or lip 22 of the flange 20. Then the upper member H is applied over thehat crown, with the annular corner portion or inner section 23 of the flange l4 bearing down on the adjacent part of the brim, and with the lip l6 bearing down on the marginal portion of the brim. The hat is thus reliably supported at its head size, and its brim is clamped between the portions 2|, 23 and between the lips l8 and 22 for proper reshaping thereof.

Any suitable clamping device may be used, such as a series of spaced removable U-shaped spring clips 24, which may be used to apply varying degrees of pressure. These may be marginally applied at whatever points needed.

If adjustment is required for difierent angularities of the brim, certain of'the elements that engage the brim may be cut down to suit. For a lesser angularity, the elements 56 and 2! may be cut down to suit. This may be done by the retailer or by the individual consumer, or even by the manufacturer, who can take the devices from stock. and adjust them to suit a particular outgoing lot of hats. The device It is intended to be sold with the hat or to be given as a premium with the purchase of the hat.

In Fig. 3 is shown a modified device 25 which in many ways is'like that shown at 59, but omits certan features of the latter to illustrate the broad principle involved. This device 25 may include an outer member 28 having a dome 21' and a base flange 28; and a lower or inner member 29 having a collar 31] and a base flange 3!, the

brim 35 is clampeclflat between the flanges 28 J and 35.

It will be perceived that the devices H and 25 are adapted to reshape distorted hats and to maintain the same in a substantially dust proof manner. Thus when a hat is stored away or not in use, it is being reshaped and preserved for further use.

Accordingly I have provided a device which fulfill the objects of the invention and is well adapted for practical use.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising an upper member having a dome and an annular flange at the base thereof, and a lower member having a tubular portion and an annular flange at the base thereof, said members being nested so that the tubular portion lies within the dome with the flange of the former underlying that of the latter, both of said flanges being outwardly directed and having means at the marginal portions thereof for movably releasably interconnecting said flanges, said members being adapted to receive a hat with the crown thereof held between the dome and the tubular portion and with the brim thereof secured between said flanges, whereby the hat is shaped by said members, and means comprising annular upstanding portions between and coaxial with said flanges, the height of said upstanding portions being adapted to be reduced for setting the brim at a required angle.

, 2. A hat shaping and preserving device, including a first member having a dome for enclosing the crown of a hat and having an outwardly directed annular base flan e for seating on the brim of the hat, a second member having a collar fitted within the sweat-band of the hat and having an outwardly extending annular base flange upon which the brim of the hat is adapted to be seated, annular upstanding lip means whose height is adapted'to be changed to conform to the outward and downward shape of the brim, one of said members having means for releasably engaging the other member to cause said flanges to press on the hat brim, and co-operating with said means to render the same effective for a required brim conforming position, and said collar terminating to a sufiicient extent below the top of the hat not to interfere with a downward fold in the top of the hat.

3. A hat former including a first member and a second member adapted to be secured together for press fitting a hat therebetween, the first member having an annular wall engageablecal around the crown of the hat, said wall having at its bottom an outwardly extending annular flange adapted to overlie the brim of the hat, said flange having at its outer edge a downwardly directed annular lip for seating on-the hat brim, said lip extending below the bottom face of the rest of the flange, the second member having a collar adapted to be fitted in the crown of the hat and having an annular outwardly directed supporting flange forunderlying the hat brim, the supporting flange having at its outer edge an upwardly directed lip and having at its junction with the collar an annular upwardly extending step portion, such that the step portion and its lip extend above the top of the rest of the supporting flange, the step portion affording a support for the inner section of the hat brim, and the lips of the different members serving to secure therebetween the marginal portion of the hat brim, the said step portion and said lips consisting of a material that is adapted to be cut down as and for the purpose specified.

, 4. A hat former including a first member and a second member adapted to be secured together for press fitting a hat therebetween, the first member having an annular wall engageable around the a crown of the hat, said wall having at its bottom an outwardly extending annular flange adapted to overlie the brim of the hat, the second member having a collar portion adapted to be fitted into a crown of the hat and having an annular outwardly directed supporting flangefor underlying the hat brim, the flange of the first member having at its outer edge an annular lip element projecting downward toward the other flange at an angle to the planeof said flanges, and the flange of the second member having an annular upward extension element at its junction with the collar portion, said elements consisting of a material that is adapted to be readily cut, for the purpose specified.

DAVID G. WIDMANN. 

